Head of Risk and Compliance in London

Purpose of the Job: The local Head of Risk & Compliance will cover all areas of statutory and regulatory compliance. Responsible for the development of local policies and procedures to improve services and to ensure they are followed, monitored and reviewed with the objective of providing services of the highest standard and quality at all times and any other such activities as may be reasonably required by the role. To work alongside Group Risk & Compliance to ensure Group Minimum Compliance Standards are achieved.

Responsibilities:

• Act as Designated Compliance Officer and Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO/Nominated Officer).
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the Board, Executive Committee, and Risk Committee on regulatory, risk, governance, and best practice matters.
• Lead and manage the day‑to‑day operations of the Compliance team, ensuring effective workload prioritisation, capability development, and team coverage.
• Maintain a strong understanding of regulatory risk exposure within a financial services environment and provide proactive guidance to the business.
• Oversee the Compliance Monitoring Programme, ensuring it is fit for purpose and delivered in line with the agreed plan and service level agreements.
• Ensure completion of file reviews, audit checks, and compliance assessments within required timelines.
• Maintain and oversee compliance registers, monitoring systems, and reporting frameworks.
• Provide expert oversight of KYC/CDD processes, including business acceptance and preparation of transaction summaries for Board sub‑committees.
• Develop, implement, and maintain local policies and procedures in line with Group Minimum Standards.
• Act as the primary contact and relationship owner with local regulators, ensuring effective engagement and regulatory compliance.
• Prepare and present reports to senior management on compliance, regulatory, and risk matters.
• Design and deliver training programmes across compliance, AML, governance, and internal policies to promote a strong compliance culture.
• Drive and embed a positive compliance culture across all levels of the organisation.
• Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of regulatory developments through ongoing professional development, seminars, and industry engagement.

Qualifications:

• Proven experience as a Risk & Compliance subject matter expert in a leadership or senior manager level role.
• Educated to Diploma level.
• Proven stakeholder management including organisational, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to provide strategic support to practice areas.
• Strong technical skills in relation to compliance and data protection legislation.
• Ability to produce management information and to deliver projects within set timeframes.

Equal Opportunities Statement: We are an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to age, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, family or parental status, national origin, veteran, neurodiversity or disability status.